The Seguin Daily News today will highlight the local candidates appearing on the November 8, 2022, General Election. Each candidate was asked to respond to the following three questions. Early voting begins Monday, Oct. 24 runs through Friday, Nov.4. Today’s featured contest is the race for City of Seguin, District 3. The winner of this race will replace current councilman Chris Aviles who opted not to seek re-election.
Today’s Featured Contest: City of Seguin, District 3
DARIUS GIL
Tell us why you’re running?
I decided to run for City Council District 3 because I was born and raised here in Seguin. I am very interested in the growth that is happening here today. I have family and friends who have previously served on city council, and this is something that I too have always considered doing. With my line of work, I have traveled throughout the state and seen lots of development and growth in various cities. I always wondered how or when Seguin would see the growth that other cities were experiencing. We have a lot of manufacturing and other businesses that have opened in our city. And more recently we are seeing a housing boom. With all this growth in our population, rather than traveling out of town, I would like to see more restaurants, retail services, recreational centers, sporting venues and other family-oriented facilities that the citizens of Seguin can frequent.
What are the biggest challenges facing the winner of this seat, and how are you prepared to address those challenges?
A challenge that I plan to tackle if elected to serve District 3 is to work with city officials to ensure that the infrastructure can handle all the current and future growth. Seguin and District 3 have seen a lot of growth in the residential, commercial, and industrial sectors in the past few years. We have many new manufacturing plants already in production and others that are being built to accompany some of the existing manufacturing plants that have been in Seguin for many years. As the city continues to grow, I will face those challenges by working with city officials to repair, replace and or improve the infrastructure to further expand retail services, attract more restaurants, and create additional recreational facilities where our children can be safe. I want Seguin to be a place where our young generation will want to raise their families and build their futures.
What do you believe makes you the best candidate for the job?
In other words, what do you believe sets you apart from your opponents?
I believe that I am the best candidate to serve District 3 because I will not only serve the constituents of District 3 but all of the citizens of Seguin with the upmost honesty and integrity. I will listen, work hard, and be responsive to all. I will conduct my research and ask questions before making any decisions that will not only affect District 3 but the entire city of Seguin. I believe what sets me apart from others is that I recognize that I am not an expert in all fields but will seek guidance from the experts prior to making any decisions. I do not seek nor need recognition. I am the person who has always worked in the behind the scenes and believe in leading by example. You can count on me to always be accountable for any and all decisions that I make if elected. I promise to serve with the best interests of District 3 and Seguin in mind.
JIM LIEVENS
Tell us why you’re running?
I would hope candidates for any public office would say they are running out of a love for their community and a passion for making a positive difference in their world. It’s that plain and simple. It starts with the most basic civic responsibility of being a registered voter and voting in local elections. For me it has also involved active participation in the community. I have a 30-year history of servant leadership in Seguin: previous city councilman, current member of the Planning & Zoning commission and the Guadalupe County Appraisal District board of directors, and immediate past president of the Geronimo Lions Club. Past leadership positions include: Seguin Area Chamber of Commerce, Seguin Youth Services, Guadalupe County United Way, Leadership Seguin, Rotary Club of Seguin, Navarro Education Foundation, and First United Methodist Church.
For 20+ years I was blessed to be part of Seguin’s steel mill, SMI/CMC. I was fortunate to have mentors who encouraged civic involvement. As I became a supervisor and leadership trainer, I benefited greatly from the life-long lessons of dignity of the individual, mutual respect and personal accountability. Those common-sense principles fit my upbringing. Growing up in the Rio Grande Valley I had a wonderful family environment and had the good fortune of a catholic school education (Brownsville St. Joe). My first paycheck jobs were at an onion packing shed and a cotton gin where I learned the value of a dollar and working with and serving all without bias or prejudice. Fast-forward to today, I serve our community as a realtor and am proud to sell Seguin.
I ask for your vote. If it is God’s will that I am elected, you will get a servant leader.
What are the biggest challenges facing the winner of this seat, and how are you prepared to address those challenges?
Seguin is a great place to live, work and play. We have a lot to be proud of in Seguin – our people, our ISD’s, our business and healthcare environment, and a rich history and proud present. And yet we have many challenges. On one hand we are an older city with aging infrastructure and neighborhoods that have felt neglected. On the other hand, we are experiencing unprecedented growth with infrastructure needs. Growth must be managed so we maintain an attractive, livable city. The city tax rate is relatively low and sales tax dollars, while growing, fall far behind neighboring cities. So, as a platform, I will advocate for keeping taxes as low as possible, creating more retail/commercial opportunities, maintaining strong funding for police and fire, maintaining and building infrastructure, and pursuing quality of life projects.
The practicality in making the platform happen – and this is the challenge for any public servant – is to take action. I will actively seek out citizen input. I will continue to listen and respond to citizen calls and emails. And I will definitely speak up on behalf of citizens. City Hall is the citizens’ house, and I will never forget that.
What do you believe makes you the best candidate for the job? In other words, what do you believe sets you apart from your opponents?
In any line of work, experience and working-relationships should matter on who we hire or elect. I bring city hall EXPERIENCE that will enable me to hit the ground running. I bring already-developed positive RELATIONSHIPS with city, county, business, and civic leaders that help get the job done. But perhaps my biggest asset can be summed up as “JIM SPEAKS UP!” Citizens should demand a council representative who speaks up for their needs and who questions issues that affect their taxes or services. I do so out of a passion for this city and for what’s right for the entire community.
District 3 has diverse needs. It is served by two school districts and is home to Texas Lutheran University. It includes major highways with commercial and industrial entities. It has established neighborhoods with long-standing road and drainage needs and has exploding new subdivisions that are stressing roads, water and public education. The district deserves a representative who seeks out and listens to citizen input, and who is willing to speak up and actively represent them. Should I be blessed to be elected, that is exactly who the voters will get.